Introducing Referent – AI-native practice management software for modern law firms.
Explore ReferentIn the [Name of Court] Court of [County], [State]
Case No.: __________________________
Petitioner: [Full Name of Petitioner]
Respondent: [Full Name of Respondent]
I, [Respondent’s Full Name], residing at [Address, City, State, ZIP], submit this Response to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed by [Petitioner’s Full Name].
Respondent admits that the parties were legally married on [Marriage Date] in [City, State].
Respondent answers the allegations in the Petition as follows:
| Paragraph No. | Response (Admit, Deny, or Partially Admit) | Explanation (if necessary) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 2 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 3 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 4 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 5 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| Paragraph No. | Response (Admit, Deny, or Partially Admit) | Explanation (if necessary) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 2 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 3 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 4 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 5 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
Paragraph No.
Response (Admit, Deny, or Partially Admit)
Explanation (if necessary)
[Admit / Deny / Partially Admit]
[Optional Comment]
(Add additional rows as needed.)
The Respondent states the following regarding minor children:
Number of minor children: [Number]
Names and dates of birth: [Full Name, DOB]
Number of minor children: [Number]
Names and dates of birth: [Full Name, DOB]
The Respondent [agrees/disagrees] with the custody and visitation terms proposed by the Petitioner and instead requests the following arrangement:
[Outline desired custody, visitation schedule, and child support terms.]
The Respondent [agrees/disagrees] with the Petitioner’s proposed division of property and debts.
Requested division:
Property to Respondent: [List assets]
Property to Petitioner: [List assets]
Debts responsibility: [List debts and allocation]
Property to Respondent: [List assets]
Property to Petitioner: [List assets]
Debts responsibility: [List debts and allocation]
The Respondent [does/does not] request spousal support (alimony).
If requested:
Monthly amount: $[Amount]
Duration: [Time Period or “until further order of the court”]
Monthly amount: $[Amount]
Duration: [Time Period or “until further order of the court”]
The Respondent requests that their former name, [Previous Name], be restored.
Respondent asserts the following counterclaims:
[Insert details, if applicable — e.g., custody modification, financial relief, division of additional assets.]
The Respondent respectfully requests that the Court:
Accept this Response as properly filed and served.
Grant a fair and equitable division of marital property and debts.
Establish custody, visitation, and support terms consistent with the Respondent’s requests.
Deny any relief sought by the Petitioner that is not consistent with law or fairness.
Grant any other relief the Court deems just and proper.
Accept this Response as properly filed and served.
Grant a fair and equitable division of marital property and debts.
Establish custody, visitation, and support terms consistent with the Respondent’s requests.
Deny any relief sought by the Petitioner that is not consistent with law or fairness.
Grant any other relief the Court deems just and proper.
Date: __________________________
Respondent’s Signature: __________________________
Printed Name: __________________________
Address: __________________________
Phone Number: __________________________
Email: __________________________
I, [Respondent’s Name], affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements contained in this Response are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signature: __________________________
Date: __________________________
I hereby certify that a copy of this Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage was served on [Petitioner’s Name or Petitioner’s Attorney] at [Address or Email] on [Date].
| Paragraph No. | Response (Admit, Deny, or Partially Admit) | Explanation (if necessary) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 2 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 3 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 4 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
| 5 | [Admit / Deny / Partially Admit] | [Optional Comment] |
Each template already follows legal structure and best practices.
The agreement is automatically filled and adapted to your inputs.
Check the generated document, make edits if needed, and download a ready-to-use agreement.
Click below for detailed info on the template.
For quick answers, scroll below to see the FAQ.
Frequently asked
A Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is a legal filing submitted by the respondent (the spouse who did not initiate the divorce) to acknowledge receipt of the petition and provide their position on the issues raised, such as custody, property division, and support.
Filing a response prevents a default judgment and ensures that your perspective and claims are considered by the court. It also allows you to request alternative arrangements regarding children, assets, or debts.
Typically, you must file your response within 20–30 days after being served with the divorce petition, depending on your state’s rules. Failing to respond within the deadline may result in the court proceeding without your input.
It should include your acknowledgment of the marriage, your agreements or disagreements with each allegation in the petition, any counterclaims, and your specific requests regarding custody, support, and division of property.
Yes. The respondent may request specific relief or file a “Counter-Petition” outlining their own proposals for property division, custody, and other matters.
Use our AI-powered builder to create a detailed, state-compliant response form tailored to your circumstances — ready to print, sign, and file in court.
Scholarship Application Form Template: Eligibility & Essays
Use our free Scholarship Application Form template to collect complete, comparable applicant information. Customize, download, and evaluate candidates efficiently.
Family Law
Prenuptial Agreement Template: Marriage Contract and Terms
Use our free Prenuptial Agreement template to clearly define financial terms before marriage. Customize easily, download, and print instantly.
Family Law
Separation Agreement Template: Property, Support & Custody
Use our free Separation Agreement template to clearly document separation terms. Easy to customize, download, and print instantly.
Family Law
Separation / Divorce-Adjacent Agreements Template – Florida
A Florida-ready separation and divorce-adjacent agreements hub template built to track contacts, deadlines, housing decisions, and planned documents in one place.
Family Law
Interspousal Transfer Deed Template
Use our free Interspousal Transfer Deed template to transfer real property between spouses. Customize property details, consideration, and recording information — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Child Travel Consent Form Template – Washington
A Washington-targeted child travel consent form built for trips with meeting points and contingency planning, featuring access and emergency response tables.
Family Law
Separation / Divorce-Adjacent Agreements Template
Use our Separation / Divorce-Adjacent Agreements Hub template to quickly choose the right agreement for separation, divorce preparation, custody, support, and property issues. Browse common document options, when to use each, and what details to gather — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Summary Dissolution Property Agreement Template
Use our free Summary Dissolution Property Agreement template to document agreed division of assets and debts for a simplified divorce process. Customize property lists, debt responsibility, and deadlines — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Child Relocation Agreement Template
Use our free Child Relocation Agreement template to document a parent’s planned move and the updated custody/parenting schedule. Customize notice, travel costs, communication, and court submission — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Spousal Support Modification Agreement Template
Use our free Spousal Support Modification Agreement template to document agreed changes to spousal support amount, duration, or payment method. Customize effective date, reasons, and court submission — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Parenting Plan Agreement Template: Custody, Visits & Holidays
Use our free Parenting Plan Agreement template to establish clear custody and visitation arrangements. Customize, sign, and create a stable parenting framework today.
Family Law
Child Travel Consent Form Template – New York
A New York-ready child travel consent form designed for group trips, with program details and document control fields to streamline logistics.
Family Law
Birth Plan Template: Labor, Pain Relief and Newborn Care
Use our free Birth Plan Template to clearly communicate your birth preferences. Customize easily, download, and print instantly.
Family Law
Petition for Legal Separation Template
Use our free Petition for Legal Separation template to request a legal separation order and outline issues like property, debts, support, and parenting (if applicable). Customize case details, requested terms, and filing information — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Separation / Divorce-Adjacent Agreements Template – New York
A New York-ready separation and divorce-adjacent agreements hub template built for upfront information gathering, document tracking, and organized review.
Family Law
Child Travel Consent Form Template – Texas
A Texas-oriented child travel consent form that highlights mixed transportation and handoff control through route and pickup tables.
Family Law
Temporary Spousal Support Agreement Template
Use our free Temporary Spousal Support Agreement template to set short-term support payments during separation or while a divorce case is pending. Customize amount, duration, and payment method — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Affidavit of Guardianship (Temporary) Template
Use our free Affidavit of Guardianship (Temporary) template to document a temporary guardianship arrangement for a minor. Customize caregiver authority, dates, and notarization — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Spousal Maintenance Agreement Template: Support & Duration
Use our free Spousal Maintenance Agreement template to set clear alimony terms after separation or divorce—customize, sign, and file for enforceability.
Family Law
Separation Agreement Template – Illinois
An Illinois-ready separation agreement template focused on confidentiality, IP and work product confirmation, and selected post-employment restrictions.
Family Law
Parental Consent for Minor Guardianship Template
Use our free Parental Consent / Authorization for Guardianship of a Minor template to grant a trusted adult temporary guardianship authority. Customize caregiving powers, dates, and notarization — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Child Custody Agreement Template – Florida
A Florida-ready child custody agreement template built around clear communication, organized co-parenting updates, and trackable parenting time terms.
Family Law
Joint Petition for Legal Separation Template
Use our free Joint Petition for Legal Separation template for spouses to request a legal separation together and outline agreed terms on property, support, and parenting (if applicable). Customize court details, separation date, and requested orders — then download and print instantly.
Family Law
Minor Travel Consent (Unaccompanied/Third Party) Template
Use our free Minor Travel Consent (Unaccompanied/Third Party) template to authorize a child to travel alone or with a non-parent adult. Customize trip details, supervising adult information, and notarization — then download and print instantly.
Family Law